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This corner café looks more at home in Tucson than SF: it's akin to adobe construction. To think this was the former home of the Octavia Lounge piano bar. Past a heavy wooden door and faux totem pole on entry, it has beat up, reddish wooden floors, white stone walls, beat up tables that look like they arrived from a garage sale, and eclectic music - both new and old. There are a few places to sit in this airy space, but the floorspace is limited. They offer a Melitta bar that generally slows down the service (which is mostly a good thing). Besides coffee, they're pretty big on beer and happy hour, and they attract a rather quiet and studious clientele heavy on the vegans-with-laptops set. Using a two-group red La Marzocco FB/70, they pull default double shots. It has a reddish crema with blonde streaks and, with the De La Paz roast they were using, was about as sweet as an espresso shot gets before it turns bad. While there wasn't any pungency, deep body, or smokiness, it works as a very flavorful, naturally sweet espresso. Served in classic brown ACF cups. The baristas are knowledgeable and can help you navigate through several great coffee options from De La Paz here.
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